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Your garden benefits from a 'fresh, clean scent' and fewer bugs will bother you

Warm weather draws everyone out, which is unfortunately exactly when insects are most active. But by setting up a natural £15 defence from Home Bargains, areas in your garden can become insect-free, making summer evenings that much more relaxing.

Home Bargains is selling a jumbo candle with a distinctive smell that can help keep flies away when burning, and it costs less than £20. The candle's citronella scent could be enough to deter bugs in the garden, as its strong, citrus-like aroma masks the carbon dioxide and sweat humans emit, confusing and repelling pests like mosquitoes, flies, and gnats.

Describing the £14.99 candle online, Home Bargains said: "Enjoy long summer nights with this Extra Large Wooden Citronella Candle - the perfect outdoor companion for patios, decks, and backyard gatherings. Made with natural citronella oil, it helps keep bugs away while giving off a fresh, clean scent.

"The oversized wooden bowl adds a warm, rustic touch that looks great with any outdoor setup. Its large size means a longer burn time, so you can relax outside without constantly relighting or replacing candles."

Home Bargains says the multi-wick candle helps keep bugs away from areas where people gather or where food will be stored, without resorting to cruel methods. The Home Bargains website did not specify how large the candle was; shoppers could get a better idea at their local store.

The XL candle is available to buy in any of the 660 Home Bargains stores across the UK, subject to stock availability. For those who cannot wait or cannot find one nearby, the online ordering option is available.

Spending over £100 on eligible items (including this candle) gives shoppers access to free UK mainland shipping. Otherwise, there is a £3.95 fee on orders, in addition to the cost of selected items.

Shoppers usually receive their items within four days of placing an order. Find out more about the Home Bargains delivery service here.

Why do most bugs hate the smell of citronella?

The strong smell from citronella confuses and overwhelms a bug's senses, meaning they are less likely to hang around - or return to - an area where the scent was previously. Specialists from A-Z Animals claim that citronella is best known for repelling mosquitoes by masking the CO2 and lactic acid humans emit. But it works wonders for keeping away things like flies, gnats, and biting midges.

It is worth noting that citronella has been found to be less effective against bees and wasps. Homeowners with this specific problem may need to find another solution - such as strong scents they dislike, including peppermint, eucalyptus and clove.